Chariots of Fire Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Any of you use a mini table saw for your modeling work? I bought a Microlux table saw years ago and it has served me well but the other day it decided to stop running. No amount of cleaning has made a difference. Taking it apart is a real chore and I'm not even sure if taking it apart will tell me why it quit. M-M still sells them although they are listed as not in stock and it's not known when they will restock. Besides that, the $$ is nearly 3x what I paid. I'm looking at options seeing as it is one of the more active pieces of machinery I use on my workbench. If you use one or know of one that is good for what we do I'd appreciate your comments.
yh70 Posted January 14 Posted January 14 (edited) AliExpress has them..this is just one of many..https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807772777398.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.56792Iub2IubXL&algo_pvid=e405fd21-5609-47a2-9890-56a44e406ec3&algo_exp_id=e405fd21-5609-47a2-9890-56a44e406ec3-5&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!179.02!76.84!!!1306.75!560.93!%402103209b17368886320532366e4eba!12000043032151222!sea!US!1764021224!X&curPageLogUid=1JPgR4ffh4a8&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A Edited January 14 by yh70
Dave G. Posted January 14 Posted January 14 I've never used one in over 60 years of model building, personally. But Amazon lists several brands and models of them. I wouldn't know a good pick from a bad one though. As far as the $ amount goes, everything has gone up. I mean let's face it, once upon a time in my life we paid $1.25 for AMT car kits etc.
LennyB Posted January 14 Posted January 14 29 minutes ago, yh70 said: AliExpress has them..this is just one of many..https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807772777398.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.56792Iub2IubXL&algo_pvid=e405fd21-5609-47a2-9890-56a44e406ec3&algo_exp_id=e405fd21-5609-47a2-9890-56a44e406ec3-5&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!179.02!76.84!!!1306.75!560.93!%402103209b17368886320532366e4eba!12000043032151222!sea!US!1764021224!X&curPageLogUid=1JPgR4ffh4a8&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A I ordered from this outfit once. Never got the item and never got any response from the company. 1
johnyrotten Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Just a thought, but with small equipment such as that, motors and switches often fail. Not sure of your skill-set, but switches are easy to test, and most small motors such as that saw are d.c. and also easy to test. Usually there is no crazy electronics in them, unless they have a speed control. A simply multi-meter is all that's needed, and of course the know-how. I tend to repair rather than replace when I am able, seems quality has taken a back seat with things.
Chariots of Fire Posted January 14 Author Posted January 14 16 minutes ago, johnyrotten said: Just a thought, but with small equipment such as that, motors and switches often fail. Not sure of your skill-set, but switches are easy to test, and most small motors such as that saw are d.c. and also easy to test. Usually there is no crazy electronics in them, unless they have a speed control. A simply multi-meter is all that's needed, and of course the know-how. I tend to repair rather than replace when I am able, seems quality has taken a back seat with things. Well, it does have a variable speed control as well as an electronic board in the corner at the switch. The motor is entirely encased which leads me to believe if there is anything wrong with the motor it might be the brushes (assuming there are some).
johnyrotten Posted January 15 Posted January 15 1 hour ago, Chariots of Fire said: Well, it does have a variable speed control as well as an electronic board in the corner at the switch. The motor is entirely encased which leads me to believe if there is anything wrong with the motor it might be the brushes (assuming there are some). In that case, Probably not worth diving into unless you've got an electronics background, I've managed some smaller repairs on things( my older vw's like to "eat" blower motor speed controls, 40 cent thermistor). Hopefully you find a replacement or figure out the issue. Good luck
yh70 Posted January 15 Posted January 15 3 hours ago, LennyB said: I ordered from this outfit once. Never got the item and never got any response from the company. i order from them all the time. mostly hobby tools and they high quality the ones i have ordered. i highly recommend them..
Aaronw Posted January 15 Posted January 15 I'm curious what you used yours for, and how accurate it was. I've seen them, but they are not tiny, with around a 12x12" table so they take up about the same floor / bench space as a small 9-10" bandsaw. I've often wondered if they are actually solid enough to do a better job than a band saw. Something like this Grizzly 9" is at the higher end for this size bandsaw and still cheaper than the better quality mini-table saws. I'm assuming you are aware of the Proxxon version. Proxxon seems to make decent small modelers tools. They offer a very basic "bench circular saw" and a mini table saw.
bobss396 Posted January 15 Posted January 15 I would look around on eBay. At least you will likely not get skunked on the deal.
Bugatti Fan Posted January 17 Posted January 17 I recently treated myself to a Micro Table Top Circular Saw. Originally I was looking at the Novel Life saw on Amazon. I found quite a number of them that were of absolutely identical specification but sold under other brand names at various prices. And of course there were other makes of micro sass on Amazon too. Currently working on a model that necessitates a lot of accurate wood cutting of panels and strips etc. It has saved me hours of work of sawing by hand. I have tried cutting plastic sheet and extrusions, aluminium tubing and clear acetate. One has to remember that the motors on these machines are designed for light work and ideal for model making, dolls house and craft type work. Cannot understand why I did not get one years ago.
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